The Hobbit
By J. R. R. Tolkien
Name
Date
Hour
Study Guide
Chapter One: An Unexpected Party
audacious (216) fender
blundering (2)
discreet (ly) (3)
depredations (9)
(13)
porter
flummoxed (11,17)
throng (9)
conspirator (16)
(10)
intricate (20)
legendary (22)
obstinate (ly) (22)
NTY
Define/Discuss:
What are hobbits? What is an adventure? What characteristics do dwarves display? Describe dragons.
1. Discuss the characters of Bilbo and Gandalf. Create a character chart for each of them.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Describe the hobbits’ homes.
Why do the dwarves come to tea? How many are there? Who is their leader?
How did Bilbo Baggins react to the plan of the dwarves?
What two things does Gandalf give Thorin?
How did the dwarves lose their treasure and kingdom?
What about adventures awakens Bilbo’s “Tookish” side? What causes his Baggins’ side to re-emerge?
Is the Baggins’ side timid or practical? Is the Tookish side heroic, curious, or proud? Explain.
Why did the dwarves question Gandalf’s choice?
Chapter Two: Roast Mutton
esteemed (29)
incantations (42)
ambling (31)
paraphernalia (30)
cavalcade (34)
requisite (29)
defrayed (29)
purloined (35)
plunder (38)
NTY
Characterization: Make a list of the characters in the novel. Add to this list as additional characters are
introduced. Add descriptions and character traits.
ie: Bilbo Baggins
Gandalf
Dwarves
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
- the hobbit; respectful, conservative creature; scorns adventure
- the wizard; disappears and returns to save the adventurers
- there are 13 of them; all dwarves are musical and skillful with metals.
How did Bilbo feel about the adventure the next morning?
Why didn’t Bilbo find the note which the dwarves had left for him until Gandalf appeared? What were
the important terms of the note?
Why do you think the wizard disappeared?
Discuss the troubles of the first night and the adventure with the trolls.
Did Bilbo prove to be a good burglar in his attempt to pick the pocket of the troll?
What kind of characters are trolls?
Discuss the fight and the wizard’s reappearance.
Chapter 3, A Short Rest
palpitating (51)
vexed (53)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
bannocks (48)
gruesome (51)
parapet (50)
runes (52)
NTY
Why was Rivendell hard to find?
Who was Elrond?
Elrond could read the runes on the swords of the trolls. Why was this important? What did Bilbo and the
dwarves learn?
What are moon-letters?
Elrond read the map for Gandalf and Thorin. Do you feel that the message will be of any value?
Chapter 4, Over Hill and Under Hill
deceptions (55)
shirk (61)
rage (65)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
uncanny (55)
quaff (61)
hordes (65)
astray (56)
gnashed (63)
realm (67)
NTY
Why was this journey apt to be very dangerous?
Why did Fili and Kili go to look for better shelter? Why did the wizard ask them if they had thoroughly
searched the cave?
Why was it a good thing that Bilbo was with the adventurers the night of the storm?
The goblins captured Bilbo and the dwarves but Gandalf escaped. Why wasn’t he captured?
How did the goblins treat their captives?
How did the Great Goblin react when he discovered the sword?
How did Bilbo and the dwarves escape?
How was it possible for the goblins to sneak up on the dwarves again?
What happened to the hobbit this time?
Chapter 5: Riddles in the Dark
groped (68)
unbeknown (71)
venture (81)
splayed (86)
1.
breeches (69)
antiquity (80)
shambling (85)
scuttling (88)
subterranean (70)
galled (81)
menace (-ingly) (86)
smote (88)
NTY
What do you think Gollum is like? How is he like Bilbo? How is he different?
Compare using a Venn diagram.
2.
Are the riddles hard? Are they good riddles? Why or why not?
3. When Gollum lost the riddle game, how did he pay his debt? What skills does Bilbo show in dealing with
Gollum? (Add to the Venn diagram.)
4.
5.
6.
7.
How did Gollum react when he couldn’t find the ring?
How did Gollum guess that Bilbo had the ring?
How did Bilbo find the way out of the cave?
Why didn’t Bilbo kill Gollum when he had the chance?
Prediction: What do you think could happen in the chapter
“Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire” ?
Chapter 6: Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire
abominable (91)
marjoram (96)
glade (100)
pinnacle (103)
talons (106)
benighted (94)
bracken (97)
clamour (100)
reek (105)
tumult (108)
sorrel (96)
fronds (97)
giddy (107)
NTY
eyrie (107)
1. How does Bilbo know that he is on the east side of the Mountains?
2. Why do you think that Bilbo did not tell his friends about the magic ring?
3. “Escaping goblins to be caught by wolves,” said the hobbit. How does this help explain the chapter title?
4. How did the party manage to escape the Wargs, the evil wolves?
5. Why and how did the eagles help the adventurers to escape?
6. How does Bilbo feel about Gandalf’s rescue?
Chapter 7: Queer Lodgings
plight (113)
appalling (114)
tunic (117)
unimpeachable (118)
expedition (136) stark
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
furrier (114)
mead (125)
tippet (115)
dale (116)
NTY
impassable (133) gnarled (135)
How did Gandalf plan the arrival at Beorn’s house? How had he planned the arrival of all the dwarves
at Bilbo’s house?
What have we learned about Beorn? Add him to your list of characters, including traits.
Where and why did Beorn go the night that the adventurers were with him?
What was Beorn’s advice for the journey?
What was the most important advice that Beorn and Gandalf gave the adventurers about Mirkwood?
Why was it necessary for Gandalf to leave the adventurers?
Predict io n: Will t hey leave t he pat h?
Why o r why no t ?
What co uld lead t hem ast ray?
Chapter 8: Flies and Spiders
inquisitive 140)
hoisted (148)
commotion (139
1.
2.
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9.
bulbous (141) taut (144) fended (144) hart (146)
NTY
tuppence (148) loathsome(157) warrant (157) quoits (158)
scuttled 160
What was there about the forest to fear?
Do you think that Mirkwood was evil? What do we mean by “evil”? Brainstorm ideas.
Why is the enchanted river dangerous? How was the hobbit helpful in crossing the river?
Why do you think the dwarves and Bilbo disregarded Beorn’s warning and strayed from the path?
After Gandalf left, who became the leader of the expedition?
How did Bilbo get separated from the dwarves?
What heroic acts does Bilbo perform?
Why does Bilbo tell the dwarves about the magic ring?
Why was Thorin captured by the Wood-elves?
Imagery: Find words or phrases that appeal to the senses.
Sense ____________ page __________
Example __________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Find at least five (5) examples and write them on loose leaf paper to share.
Chapter 9: Barrels Out of Bond
nimble (179)
potent (178)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
portcullis (176)
vintage (178)
flagons (178)
astride (185)
NTY
Why did the Wood-elves capture the dwarves and not Bilbo?
How did Mr. Baggins get in and out of the closely guarded palace?
Why was it necessary for Bilbo to continue burgling?
Why didn’t Thorin and the dwarves tell the king why they were in the wood?
How did Bilbo plan to help his friends escape? How did Bilbo escape?
How was the magic ring valuable to Bilbo in this part of his adventure?
Chapter 10: A Warm Welcome
bickering (190)
solemnities (195)
enmity (197)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
attribute (190)
quays (196)
obscure (198)
allude (-ing) (190)
waylaid (196)
frauds (200)
ominous(ly) (190)
hinder (196)
circuitous (200)
How had the dwarves survived the escape and the trip in the barrels?
How were the dwarves received in Lake-town?
What is the attitude of the dwarves about Bilbo? Why wasn’t Bilbo happy?
How do you think the elf-king learned the reason for the dwarves’ adventure?
Why do you think the Master believed Thorin was a fraud? What changed his mind?
Why was the Master not sorry to see them go?
Predict io n: What is wo rrying Bilb o ? What t ro ub les await t hem ?
NTY